Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down - IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3

Technology failures are a common real-life experience, which makes the IELTS cue card ‘Describe a time when your computer/laptop broke down’ highly relatable and easy to develop with personal details. However, to achieve a high band score, you must do more than narrate the event; you need to describe the situation clearly, explain your reaction, and reflect on the consequences.

In this blog, we will examine sample responses to the IELTS Speaking cue card topic, ‘Describe a time when your computer/laptop broke down’, as well as Part 3 questions and pertinent vocabulary to help you improve your speaking abilities.

Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

In the IELTS Speaking Part 2 test, when you are answering the cue card topic ‘Describe a time when your computer/laptop broke down’, the examiner wants to assess your ability to describe an event chronologically while explaining your feelings and decision-making. 

So, let us explore the sample answers to this cue card, which will help you structure your response effectively.

Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down - Sample Answer 1

I am a tech-freak and work on my laptop for almost 8-9 hours a day. Therefore, not having a laptop to work on hampers my mindset as well as impedes my professional life. There was a time when my laptop went kaput because of a kid who came to my home and tried to mess around with the laptop and ended up getting it defunct.

So, I was working on my organisation’s data and was about to start analysing the collected information to present it on the evening of that day when I got a call from my aunt that she would be visiting me along with her 5 year old. I was quite happy upon hearing that and went to receive her at the station. Upon reaching our home, we conversed for about an hour and then she said that she was feeling quite knackered after the journey and would like to doze off for a while. Meanwhile, I went out to the nearby market to shop for groceries and forgot about the laptop and that mischievous five-year-old kid. He splashed a jug of water over the screen and threw it on the floor as he thought it was a toy to play with.

After I learned about all that had happened, I took the laptop to the service centre in the vicinity. However, the agent said that the condition of that laptop was beyond any service or any recuperative measure. I felt dejected as all my data and hard work went down the drain.

Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down - Sample Answer 2

I’d like to talk about a stressful incident that happened around eight months ago when my laptop suddenly broke down while I was preparing an important academic presentation. It was late at night, and I was finalising slides for a submission due the next morning.

Out of nowhere, the screen froze completely, and the system became unresponsive. At first, I assumed it was a temporary glitch, but after restarting it several times, the laptop refused to boot up. I immediately felt a surge of panic because all my work was saved locally, and I hadn’t backed it up.

I tried troubleshooting the issue by checking online solutions on my phone, but nothing worked. Eventually, I had to borrow a friend’s laptop and recreate most of the presentation from memory, which was incredibly exhausting. The next day, I took my laptop to a technician, who informed me that the hard drive had failed.

Honestly, I felt extremely frustrated and helpless at the time, but the experience taught me a valuable lesson about digital responsibility. Since then, I’ve become meticulous about backing up my files regularly. In retrospect, although the situation was stressful, it made me more organised and cautious with technology.

Vocabulary for Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down IELTS Cue Card

We have listed some of the latest IELTS speaking vocabulary to boost your score that we have used in the above sample answers for Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down to boost your score. 

Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down – IELTS Cue Card Part 3 Follow-Up Questions

Go through the IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions about the ‘Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down’ IELTS cue card provided below to improve your preparation, and then attempt to create your own sample responses.

• What do people use computers for?

Computers have become an indispensable part of our lives today, and people use them for innumerable reasons, including data collection, marketing, researching, computing, chatting, etc.

• Should students be allowed to use computers at school?

Well, of course, they should be allowed to use computers. But, it should be permitted only if they are monitored vigilantly with proper proxy servers that don’t allow them to access the sites they shouldn’t be accessing. For study purposes, it is imperative that they use computers.

• What do you think of people who are addicted to computers?

Being obsessed with anything can be detrimental to one’s life. So, people who are addicted to using computers out of proportion and balance are prone to many diseases. So, they should be watchful of their usage.

• Do you think computers make our life simpler or more complex?

I believe computers have made our lives easier and very relaxing compared to how it was almost 5-6 years ago. Technology has dislodged the significant conventional aspects of our lives and has made our multi-tasking lives relatively more manageable.

Vocabulary for Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down IELTS Speaking Part 3 

You can use the following words to answer the Part 3 questions for 'Describe a Time When Your Computer/Laptop Broke Down' to boost your IELTS vocabulary.

To conclude, cue cards describing a computer or laptop breakdown are an excellent opportunity to demonstrate narrative skills, emotional expression, and problem-solving language. With structured storytelling and precise vocabulary, even a frustrating technical failure can become a compelling Band 8+ speaking answer. So, take up IELTS Speaking practice tests regularly to make sure you have improved your speaking skills and confidence.

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